UNITED STATES, — Teams across the NFL have finalized their initial 53-man rosters and with that, many players now enter free agency. Here are 10 notable players who were waived ahead of the 4 p.m. EST Aug. 27 deadline for NFL roster cuts.
Kadarius Toney (WR)
Originally drafted by the Giants in the first round in 2021, Toney only spent one season in New York before being traded to Kansas City for a third-round-pick and a sixth-round-pick. Toney most notably caught a touchdown for the Chiefs in the Super Bowl in their win over the Eagles in 2023. The Chiefs' recent signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster all but sealed Toney's fate with Kansas City.
Sterling Shepard (WR)
The long-time Giants wide receiver signed a deal with the Buccaneers in the offseason after eight seasons in New York. Shepard's best season came in 2018 where he logged 66 receptions for 872 yards and four touchdowns. Injuries have plagued Shepard over the past few years, only playing 25 games over the past three seasons.
Allen Robinson (WR)
Robinson started every game for the Steelers last season, but continued to have down production, a trend that has been evident in his game since 2020. Robinson is known for his time with the Jaguars and Bears, his best season coming in 2015 where he logged 1400 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. The 10-year veteran was signed by the Giants this offseason and now finds himself in free agency.
CJ Henderson (CB)
The former ninth-overall pick in 2020 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Henderson now finds himself released by the division rival Texans. Henderson was traded to the Panthers in 2022 along with a fifth-round-pick for TE Dan Arnold and a third-round-pick. The former Florida Gator started seven games for the Panthers last season before being signed by the Texans this offseason.
Bailey Zappe (QB)
Zappe started 6 games for the Patriots last season, throwing for six touchdowns and nine interceptions. Zappe made his name at Western Kentucky when he threw for 5967 yards 62 touchdowns in his senior year for the Hilltoppers. Now, two seasons into his NFL career, Zappe finds himself released after the Patriots took both Drake Maye and Joe Milton in the 2024 draft.
John Ross (WR)
The speedy Ross burst onto the NFL scene with his then fastest 40-yard-dash time of 4.22 before being broken by Xavier Worthy's 4.21 this past year. Ross is known for his time with the Bengals, his best season came in 2019 where he logged 28 receptions for 506 yards and three touchdowns. Ross was signed by the Eagles in the offseason, but had an uphill battle of making the team after they traded for Jahan Dotson from the Commanders.
Caleb Farley (CB)
Selected by the Titans with the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Farley was released by Tennessee after missing most of training camp with hamstring injury. Injuries have been the headline of Farley's career in the NFL to this point, only playing in 12 games over the past three seasons.
Desmond Ridder (QB)
The former third-round quarterback out of Cincinnati was originally drafted by the Falcons in 2022. He started 13 games for Atlanta just last season, but was traded to the Cardinals for WR Rondale Moore in the offseason just one day after the team signed QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year $180 million deal.
Frank Gore Jr. (RB)
Son of legendary NFL running back Frank Gore, rookie Gore Jr. impressed in the preseason for the Bills. In the final matchup against the Panthers, Gore Jr. rushed for 101 yards on 18 carries with a rushing touchdown. The Southern Miss product rushed for over 4000 yards in college and after a solid preseason, many were shocked to see him not make Buffalo's roster.
Tim Patrick (WR)
Patrick has spent every season of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos up this point. When on the field Patrick has been productive, logging over 700 yards the past two seasons he was healthy in 2020 and 2021. Unfortunately, the past two seasons Patrick has suffered season-ending leg injuries, in 2022 he tore his ACL and in 2023 he tore his Achilles. Patrick is expected to sign a deal with Lions practice squad with the idea that he will work his way on to the team's active roster.
Although these players did not make the initial 53-man rosters, they may find suitors elsewhere across the league or can be signed to a team's practice squad to start the season.
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